Evaluating the particle-phase collection efficiency of a personal pesticide sampler

Many occupational diseases are associated with where particles penetrate and deposit in the three major regions of the respiratory tract. Sampling criterion has been developed for particles that enter the nose and/or mouth (inhalable aerosols). Pesticides can exist as both gases (vapors) and particles simultaneously in air. The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler was designed to sample for inhalable-sized particles, while sorbent tubes are used to sample for vapors. The OSHA Versatile Sampler (OVS) can measure aerosols and vapors simultaneously, and many sampling and analytical methods for pesticides require the use of an OVS. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has established an IFV (inhalable fraction and vapor) endnote for chemicals that need to be evaluated for both inhalable fraction and vapor due to their volatility. Pesticides make up the majority of Threshold Limit Values having an IFV endnote. However, the OVS is not recognized as an inhalable sampler, and there is no published literature on the particle-phase collection efficiency of the OVS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the particle-phase collection efficiency of the OVS and compare its performance to the IOM inhalable sampler, and to determine whether modifications to the OVS can enhance its ability to sample similarly to the IOM sampler. The collection efficiency of the OVS (SKC Inc., Eighty Four, PA) was evaluated in six different configurations in order to potentially match the collection efficiency of the IOM sampler (SKC Inc., Eighty Four, PA). All six configurations of the OVS under-sampled when compared to the IOM sampler, and none of the five modifications made any significant improvements to the original configuration. Further research should include developing an inhalable particle and vapor personal sampler that is commercially available in the United States.